Emphasizing the need for adjustment according to different conditions, Indian head coach Anil Kumble has admitted that his side are focusing on changing their mindset from the Test mode to the shortest format of the game ahead of the two-match T20 series against West Indies in Florida, USA.
"It is a mindset change and not easy to switch your focus from playing a Test series and coming into a T20 mode. It is something we need to change in our mind. Probably both bowlers and batsmen need to make adjustments. It is not easy, but all of us are professionals and they have played enough T20 cricket to adjust. It is something to focus on. It is more in the mind," the coach said.
Admitting that the Caribbean side would be tough to beat, Kumble observed that most of West Indies' star players were part of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and hence, it would not be difficult for them to switch from Tests to T20.
"West Indies are always a tough side and they are the World T20 champions. Also, some of the West Indian players may not have to make the switch from Tests to T20s because they are coming straight from the CPL. They are quality cricketers and they have shown how good they are. We had a tough match against them in the semi-final of the World T20 as well. So, we are going to encounter a quality side and we are aware of that. It is going to be a challenge," Kumble pointed out.
The 45-year-old, however, believes his side has done pretty well in last six months and, therefore, is hopeful that they would capitalize on it in the upcoming matches.
"I think rankings are of course at the back of everyone's mind and we keep hearing about it where you're in terms of standings. But the critical point is you (have to) play some good cricket. Yes, the Test series victory was very good in West Indies. Even if you look at India's T20 record for India, the past six months, it has been pretty impressive, and that is something we would like to take forward in these games as well," he added.
Kumble was excited to work alongside limited overs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the first time in his capacity as coach.
"This is the first time that I'll be working with MS, obviously we have played together over a long period of time and we had a chat yesterday and today as well. I'm really looking forward to working with him and the new set of boys like Bumrah who's joined as well. I've worked with him in the IPL so it's nice to be a part of the India dressing room again."
